Ronan Daniel - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

point.me Launches Gateway, Enabling White-Label Loyalty Programmes in 60 Days for Partners' Apps and Websites

💰 Oct 2nd, 2026, point.me announced Gateway, a B2B white-label loyalty program, which can integrate into partner apps within 60 days. Founded in 2022, point.me simplifies point redemption, enabling users to search award travel and book services using points or cash. CEO Adam Morvitz highlights Gateway’s ease of use, aiming to improve customer engagement in loyalty programs. Partners benefit from transaction insights and user behavior analytics.

Expedia TAAP Launches Beta Rapid Activities API, Integrating Tiqets Inventory for Agencies Ahead of 2027 Rollout

📅 Who? Expedia Group's B2B division, Tiqets, travel agencies, Stephen Cheng, Peter Friend. When? October 2, 2026, general rollout in early 2027. Where? Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) interface. What? Beta Rapid Activities API launched, integrating Tiqets inventory, expands Rapid API ecosystem from accommodation to activities. How? Responds to 77% of travellers wanting a single platform for trip booking. Why? Reflects shift towards experience-focused travel planning, with activities as the starting point.

2 min

Airbnb Autumn Update Introduces Social Features, AI Enhancements, and Expands Services Across US and Europe

📅 Airbnb's autumn update introduces new features aimed at enhancing user experience. Connect allows travelers to see where their connections have stayed and recommended. Meal delivery expands in Europe, while the US sees laundry services with Rinse and AI-powered search improvements. By November 2026, baby equipment hire will be available in 60+ US cities. Interactive 3D floor plans and dynamic pricing tools improve host capabilities, while AI summaries and voice support aim to bolster customer service.

2 min

French Hotel Industry Attracts €3 Billion Investment, Surging as Third-Largest European Market with 18% in Real Estate

🏨 French hospitality remains robust and innovative, according to Rydge Conseil's 49th "L’Industrie Hôtelière Française" study, unveiled by Stéphane Botz on 29 September. Surveying 3,176 properties with 251,100 rooms, the report highlights €3 billion invested in 2025, positioning France as Europe's third-largest market. Key trends include agritourism, coastal land demand, sports-focused offers, and branded storytelling. Hotels aim to enhance local engagement and offer meaningful experiences, with Food & Beverage as a pivotal value lever.

2 min

Former KAYAK CEO Steve Hafner Launches AI-Powered Platform Lola with Backing from Booking Holdings

💻 Steve Hafner and Paul English, former KAYAK co-founders, launched Lola, an AI-powered discovery and booking platform. Lola offers hotel, restaurant, activity, and premium airport service bookings. Partnering with KAYAK and Booking.com, among others, it operates on a membership model with free and paid tiers at $5 and $25 per month. Lola targets high-end travel markets, offering personalized itineraries and consumer loyalty independent of payment methods, enhancing access with exclusive rates and benefits.

1 min

Orchestra and Sabre Partner to Integrate Single API for Streamlined Airline Content Distribution Including NDC, EDIFACT, and LCC

✈️ B2B tech platform Orchestra enhances its partnership with Sabre by integrating a single API for airline content, including NDC, EDIFACT, and LCC. This innovation streamlines distribution and automates post-booking workflows like changes, cancellations, and exchanges. Sabre offers a Multi-tickets capability for complex itineraries, boosting operational efficiency and profitability for partners. The collaboration aims to give tour operators and travel agencies more flexibility in distribution strategies.

1 min

HBX Group Launches Bedsonline+ to Enhance Travel Advisor Solutions with AI and Expanded Product Catalogue

🛫 HBX Group launched Bedsonline+, a new AI-enhanced booking tool, in September 2026. Designed for travel advisors, it consolidates luxury accommodations, experiences, and mobility solutions into one platform. It updated the Bedsonline experience from March and offers advanced itinerary-building and trend analysis. Aiming to cater to demands for personalization and flexibility, this initiative marks HBX's evolution from a hotel distributor to a comprehensive B2B technology platform.

1 min

AGIBOT Deploys Over 300 Robots at Chimelong Spaceship Park in China to Enhance Visitor Experience with Robotics

🤖 AGIBOT and Chimelong Group have deployed over 300 robots at Chimelong Spaceship Park in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China. This marks the first phase of their project to enhance visitor experiences using robotics. AGIBOT has produced its 20,000th robot, integrating units into entertainment, tours, services, and sports. A dedicated 5G-A network supports coordination, managed by a centralized system. The initiative aims to integrate embodied AI across tourism activities, using robots beyond demonstrations.

2 min

UN Tourism Dedicates 2026 World Tourism Day to Digital Agenda and AI to Reinvent Travel Industry

📰 2026 World Tourism Day will focus on "Digital agenda and artificial intelligence to reinvent tourism." A panel streamed on LinkedIn featured Catt McLeod, Ivonne Arriola, and Daniel Pino. AI is transforming travel from discovery to booking, requiring clear governance and human oversight. HotelREZ and Aloja are adapting strategies to AI-driven changes. UN Tourism made AI a strategic priority in 2025, with a roadmap adopted in Riyadh, emphasizing sustainability, accessibility, and inclusive growth.

2 min

Accor Launches AI-Powered ALL Concierge to Enhance Guest Experience with Personalized Assistance Across Multiple Platforms

💻 Accor launched ALL Concierge, an AI assistant, in September 2026. The service is available 24/7 on Accor’s website, app, and platforms like WhatsApp and iMessage, learning from over a million conversations since a July 2025 pilot. It quickly provides trip and booking info, with complex queries redirected to human agents. Available in 11 languages online and four on mobile, this tool aims to enhance guest experience and support hotel staff with daily tasks.

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